North Korea showed how it would take on the US Navy — and it's pretty weak

North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, presided over the launch of a
new anti-ship cruise missile system on Thursday in Wonsan, on
North Korea's east coast. And though the missiles performed well
and struck their target, it was a pretty weak showing.

The missiles flew about 125 miles, South Korea said, and fired
from tracked launchers with forest camouflage. The missiles
themselves were not new, according to The
Diplomat, but they showed off a new launcher that can fire
from hidden, off-road locations within moments of being set up.

But those are about the only nice things you could say about
these missiles.

In the photos released by North Korean media, it's clear the
missiles are striking a ship that isn't moving.

The ship appears anchored,
with no wake.Rodong
Sinmun

In a combat situation, the ships would move and take
countermeasures. For the US, South Korean, and Japanese navies,
that often means firing an interceptor missile.

North Korea also lacks the ability to support these missiles with
accurate guidance. The US would use planes, drones, or even
undersea platforms to observe and track a target.

Rodong Sinmun

North Korea waited to test these missiles until two US aircraft
carrier strike groups armed to the teeth with missile defense
capabilities left its shores, perhaps to avoid embarrassment
should the US knock them down.

Unlike its practice with ballistic-missile tests, which are
banned under international law, the US did not publicly comment
on this launch. North Korea is well within its rights to test a
cruise missile in international waters.

Rodong Sinmun

But despite the rudimentary technology used in the launch, North
Korea did show that it poses a real threat. Not only do the
missile launchers leverage the element of surprise, but they
represent yet another new missile capability.

In a few short months, North Korea has demonstrated a range of
capabilities that has surprised experts and military observers.
Though the missiles don't pose a threat to the US Navy, Kim
showed he's serious about fighting on all fronts.